How two Hollywood actors bought the farm and built careers in the Midwest
Two of Indy’s leading actors gave up lucrative careers in movies, TV and commercials to make a new life for themselves in central Indiana.
Family Business
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Family-owned Beck’s unfazed by multinational seed rivals
A seed is an appropriate metaphor for Beck’s Hybrids, while its competitors in the fast-consolidating farm-seed industry might be compared to the towering plant in Jack and the Beanstalk.
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Speedway expected to continue growth in wake of matriarch’s death
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was not for sale before the Nov. 3 death of Mari Hulman George—the matriarch of IMS and IndyCar Series parent Hulman & Co. And it’s not now.
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Articles
Naptown Thrift founder, hip-hop artist finds success by blending the two interests
Aaron Marshall has used his passion to fuel his business—and the result is Naptown Thrift, a vintage clothing store specializing in the 1980s and 1990s.
Homebuilder snags stables tucked away on north side for subdivision
Westport Homes has made a rare find: 33 acres of largely undeveloped land on West 64th Street in Washington Township. Until July, it was the home of Grandview Stables for more than six decades.
Growth of Indy-based Defenders home-security company outpaces industry
The local family-run company specializing in home security and smart-home technology has grown 20 percent each of the past two years, with $600 million in revenue projected for 2018.
Greenwood-based One Click finds success selling readers, prescription glasses online
Most of the company’s current business focus—and the majority of its revenue—comes from readers.
U-pick flower farm offers more than bouquets
P&D Flower Farm, in northeastern Johnson County, also offers floral arrangement and an event center for weddings.
Indianapolis animal care business doubles size with expansion
A K-9 officer for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and his wife have completed a $2.1 million expansion of their 15-year-old kennel and animal-care business.
Indianapolis-area auto dealers selling to bigger groups
The local car dealerships Hoosiers have long visited when shopping to buy a set of wheels could bear new names in coming years as aging owners look to sell off their businesses.
After split driven by succession planning, family-owned Crew Carwash is in growth mode
This year, Indianapolis’ largest car wash chain—which is also one of the nation’s largest—marks its 70th anniversary. Sort of.
Missteps, market shifts bury once-thriving HHGregg
The 62-year-old company is joining the trash heap of failed appliance and electronics retailers, done in by a long list of problems—including overexpansion and a collapse in sales of consumer electronics.
New venture firm Charmides off to blazing start
Charmides, one of the area’s newest venture capital funds—was launched in June 2015 by a 27-year-old basketball player from Carmel and his father.
Peer-to-peer housing debate hits area communities
Indianapolis-area communities stayed out of the home-sharing-platform debates—until Zionsville ordered a couple to stop offering an apartment above their garage to out-of-town guests.
Retailer of raw pet food grows fast after jumping into e-commerce
In less than two years, locally based Raw Paws Pet Inc. has transformed from a regional delivery company into a full-fledged e-commerce firm delivering in 48 states.
The Lazzaras up ante in downtown Carmel after early bets on mayor’s vision pay off
Four of the family’s five local businesses operate out of downtown Carmel—and Chuck Lazzara and his son are pursuing a $20 million mixed-use development called Monon & Main.
Elements in place to keep IMS under family ownership
Thanks to a savvy tax-avoiding maneuver by late track owner Anton “Tony” Hulman Jr., his descendants appear poised to lead the Indianapolis Motor Speedway into the next era.
Jonathan Byrd’s diversifies, moves north
Jonathan Byrd’s has for years been quietly expanding beyond its successful restaurant and catering company in Greenwood. Now, it is shifting most of its attention to Hamilton County.
Battered Auer mutual fund soldiers on
From the Auer Growth Fund’s debut in late 2007 through the end of 2015, its average annualized return was negative 5 percent, while the overall market rose an average of 6.3 percent annually.
Musicians Lily & Madeleine evolving from niche act to stardom
Seeing Madeleine and Lilly Jurkiewicz backstage before a performance, you might think they are preparing for a college talent night. But the sisters are launching a tour in support of their third album, one that could make the difference between a future as an indie niche act or a breakout success.
Mother-daughter home rehab team gets shot at HGTV gig
Karen Jensen and Mina Starsiak, owners of Two Chicks and a Hammer, will be featured in a TV pilot airing Monday on the network. They could parlay the appearance into a 12-episode season.
Young firm aims to clean up in ‘green’ laundry niche
Brandon Evans and Andrew Insley hope their laundry detergent startup sets itself apart from the crowded field of competitors that say they use “natural” ingredients. Their point of differentiation: truly making good on that claim.